Intake and Exhaust Method and A  Structure Utilizing the Same

ABSTRACT

An intake and exhaust structure includes an outer duct, an inner duct and an air-guiding cover. The outer duct has a first end and a second end. The inner duct has a first end, a second end and an intake air channel. The inner duct is disposed in the outer duct, and a circular air channel is defined between the inner and outer ducts. The air-guiding cover has an inner wall and an air inlet at two ends thereof, wherein the inner wall is coupled with the second end of the inner duct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an intake and exhaust methodand an intake and exhaust structure utilizing the same and, moreparticularly, to an intake and exhaust method that performs an intakeand exhaust operation using natural wind, as well as an intake andexhaust structure utilizing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Intake and exhaust structures are commonly constructed in a variety ofinfrastructures, industrial architectures or buildings. An intake andexhaust structure of a building can provide air exchange for an interiorspace of the building by drawing external air into the interior space.In such a manner, waste gas or heat of the building can be expelled.Generally, the intake and exhaust structure has a duct for expellingairs.

Referring to FIG. 9, a conventional duct 9 is shown. The duct 9 is in atube form and has an air channel 91 and an air outlet 92. The duct 9 hasone end connected to an interior space of a building where air exchangeis to be performed. In such an arrangement, the heat (or waste gas) inthe interior space will rise in the air channel 91 since it has a smalldensity. At this time, an exhaust ventilation device may be used tospeed up the rising heat if necessary. The cylindrical duct 9 has astack effect that will result in an air-pulling force at the air outlet92 that can pull up the heat or waste gas from the interior space of thebuilding. Then, the pulled heat can rise in the air channel 91 and beexpelled via the air outlet 92.

However, the heat in the interior space may not rise quickly enough whenthe temperature of the heat is not high enough. At this point, theexhaust ventilation device such as a fan will be needed to speed up theheat. Thus, electric power or similar energies will be needed to drivethe exhaust ventilation device, resulting in a waste of energy.

Furthermore, the air outlet 92 of the duct 9 usually has an evenperiphery, which results in turbulence generated by interaction betweenthe rising heat and the wind. As a result, the wind-pulling effect isdeteriorated. If the periphery of the air outlet 92 is designed in anuneven form, the wind-pulling effect can be further deteriorated whenthe wind direction changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the primary objective of this invention to provide anintake and exhaust structure capable of providing desired airventilation by interaction between natural wind and expelled heat.

It is therefore another objective of this invention to provide an intakeand exhaust structure with enhanced air exchange capability.

It is yet another objective of this invention to provide an intake andexhaust structure that can adjust the direction thereof and thereforeattain better air exchange rate.

The invention discloses an intake and exhaust structure comprising anouter duct, an inner duct and an air-guiding cover. The outer duct has afirst end and a second end. The inner duct has a first end, a second endand an intake air channel. The inner duct is disposed in the outer duct,and a circular air channel is defined between the inner and outer ducts.The air-guiding cover has an inner wall and an air inlet at two endsthereof, wherein the inner wall is coupled with the second end of theinner duct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional duct.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an intake and exhaust structureaccording to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an intake and exhaust structureaccording to a second embodiment of the invention.

In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate thesame or similar parts. Furthermore, when the term “first”, “second”,“third”, “fourth”, “inner”, “outer” “top”, “bottom” and similar termsare used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms referonly to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to aperson viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitatedescribing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 2, an intake and exhaust structure using an intake andexhaust method is disclosed according to a first embodiment of theinvention. The intake and exhaust structure includes an outer duct 1, aninner duct 2 and an air-guiding cover 3. The outer duct 1 has an airchannel and may have a cross section in any shape, such as a circularshape adopted in this embodiment. In addition, the outer duct 1 has afirst end 11 and a second end 12, and the inner duct 2 has a first end21 and a second end 22. The air-guiding cover 3 is coupled with thesecond ends 12 and 22 of the outer duct 1 and the inner duct 2.

The inner duct 2 is disposed in the outer duct 1 and may have a crosssection in any shape, such as a circular shape adopted in thisembodiment. A circular air channel 23 is defined between the outer duct1 and the inner duct 2. The inner duct 2 further comprises an intake airchannel 24. In addition, the inner duct 2 may have an air-spreadingmember 211 at the first end 21 thereof, and the air-spreading member 211may extend outwards beyond the first end 11 of the outer duct 1 in aradial direction.

The air-guiding cover 3 has an inner wall 31 and an outer wall 32. Theinner wall 31 is coupled with the second end 22 of the inner duct 2, andthe outer wall 32 is coupled with the second end 12 of the outer duct 1.In a preferred case, the inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 are in acircular form conforming to the circular cross section of the outer duct1 and the inner duct 2. The inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32 arecoupled with the inner duct 2 and the outer duct 1 in a rotatablemanner. The air-guiding cover 3 has an air inlet 33 at one end thereof,and the air inlet 33 allows the air to enter the intake air channel 24therethrough. The air-guiding cover 3 also has an air outlet 34 betweenthe inner wall 31 and the outer wall 32. An air-blocking portion 35 ispreferably formed at the air outlet 34. In particular, the air-blockingportion 35 is arranged at one side of the air outlet 34 where the airinlet 33 is, so as to close the portion of the air outlet 34 adjacent tothe air inlet 33. This can avoid turbulence caused by the expelled heatmixing with external air around the air inlet 33.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, when the intake and exhaust structure is inuse, the first ends 11 and 21 of the outer duct 1 and the inner duct 2are connected to an interior space 4 in a way that the air-spreadingmember 211 of the inner duct 2 extends into the interior space 4. Thiscan provide communication among the circular air channel 23, intake airchannel 24 and interior space 4.

Referring to FIG. 2, the air-guiding cover 3 is preferably coupled withthe outer duct 1 and the inner duct 2 in a way that allows theair-guiding cover 3 to rotate at the second ends 12 and 22. Therefore,the air inlet 33 can be adjusted in a direction that best receives thewind (facing the wind), so that the airflows can enter the intake airchannel 24 via the air inlet 33. The airflows in the intake air channel24 can then enter the interior space 4 via the air-spreading member 211to have an air exchange with the heat in the interior space 4. Finally,the heat in the interior space 4 can be expelled via the circular airchannel 23, thus completing the air circulation. Moreover, since theair-spreading member 211 has a larger cross-sectional area than theintake air channel 24, the resistance to the intake airflows enteringthe interior space 4 can be reduced thereby. This allows the inflowingair to enter the interior space 4 more smoothly.

During the air exchange, the heat in the interior space 4 will flow tothe air outlet 34 along the circular air channel 23 and be expelled viathe air outlet 34. At this time, the air-blocking portion 35 will blockthe heat so that the heat in the circular air channel 23 will not mixwith the external air around the air inlet 33, thereby preventingturbulence from forming. Therefore, the intake and exhaust structure ofthe invention can operate in a smooth way without the exhaustventilation device required by the conventional duct 9.

Referring to FIG. 3, an intake and exhaust structure using an intake andexhaust method is disclosed according to a second embodiment of theinvention. The intake and exhaust structure of the second embodimentalso has the inner duct 2, air-guiding cover 3 and interior space 4described in the first embodiment. The intake and exhaust structure ofthis embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment by that theouter duct 1 consists of a first outer tube 1 a and a second outer tube1 b.

The first outer tube 1 a and the second outer tube 1 b are rotatablycoupled with each other to construct the outer duct 1. The first end 11of the outer duct 1 communicates with the interior space 4. The secondend 12 of the outer duct 1 is an air outlet with uneven periphery. Theair outlet has a windward opening 13 and an air-guiding opening 14. Thedirection of the second outer tube 1 b can be adjusted based on winddirection in order for the windward opening 13 to face the wind. The airoutlet at the windward opening 13 can have an air-blocking portion toprevent turbulence generated by the expelled heat mixing with externalair around the air inlet 33. However, the air-blocking portion may ormay not be arranged, depending on the distance between the windwardopening 13 and the air inlet 33.

Referring to FIG. 3, external air will enter the intake air channel 24via the air inlet 33. The airflows in the intake air channel 24 can thenenter the interior space 4 via the air-spreading member 211. Theair-spreading member 211 can reduce the resistance to the intakeairflows entering the interior space 4. At this time, the heat in theinterior space 4 will flow to the windward opening 13 and theair-guiding opening 14 and be expelled therethrough.

When the heat in the circular air channel 23 is expelled via thewindward opening 13, the expelled heat will be brought to theair-guiding opening 14 by the wind blowing over. Since the air-guidingopening 14 is lower than the windward opening 13, the airflow from thewindward opening 13 will interact with the airflow of the air-guidingopening 14. As a result, a low air pressure is formed at the air-guidingopening 14, which will enhance the air-pulling effect of the air-guidingopening 14. Thus, the heat in the circular air channel 23 will beexpelled via the air-guiding opening 14 more quickly.

The intake and exhaust structure of the invention is capable ofproviding a fast air circulation based on natural wind without employingadditional exhaust ventilation device driven by electrical power. Thus,power saving is attained.

The intake and exhaust structure of the invention is designed in a waythat its air outlet has a height difference that can enhance theair-pulling effect at the air-guiding opening thereof. Thus, aircirculation is facilitated.

The intake and exhaust structure of the invention enables its secondouter tube and air-guiding cover to adjust their direction, therebypreventing inefficient heat expelling caused by change in winddirection. Thus, better air circulation can be maintained regardless howthe direction of the wind changes.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference toits presently preferable embodiment, it will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forthin the appended claims.

1. An intake and exhaust method, comprising: an outer duct having afirst end and a second end; an inner duct having a first end, a secondend and an intake air channel, wherein the inner duct is disposed in theouter duct, and a circular air channel is defined between the inner andouter ducts; and an air-guiding cover having an inner wall and an airinlet at two ends thereof, wherein the inner wall is coupled with thesecond end of the inner duct; wherein the first ends of the inner andouter ducts are connected to an interior space to provide communicationbetween the intake air channel and the circular air channel.
 2. Anintake and exhaust structure, comprising: an outer duct having a firstend and a second end; an inner duct having a first end, a second end andan intake air channel, wherein the inner duct is disposed in the outerduct, and a circular air channel is defined between the inner and outerducts; and an air-guiding cover having an inner wall and an air inlet attwo ends thereof, wherein the inner wall is coupled with the second endof the inner duct.
 3. The intake and exhaust structure as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the air-guiding cover further comprises an outer wallsurrounding the inner wall and coupled with the second end of the outerduct.
 4. The intake and exhaust structure as claimed in claim 3, whereinthe inner and outer walls of the air-guiding cover are coupled with theinner and outer ducts in a rotatable manner.
 5. The intake and exhauststructure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the air-guiding cover furthercomprises an air outlet between the inner and outer walls.
 6. The intakeand exhaust structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein an air-blockingportion is arranged at one side of the air outlet where the air inlet ofthe air-guiding cover is.
 7. The intake and exhaust structure as claimedin claim 2, wherein the outer duct comprises a first outer tube and asecond outer tube, and the air outlet has a windward opening and anair-guiding opening defined between the inner duct and the second outertube.
 8. The intake and exhaust structure as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe first ends of the inner and outer ducts are connected to an interiorspace, and the inner duct has an air-spreading member at the first endthereof.
 9. The intake and exhaust structure as claimed in claim 8,wherein the air-spreading member extends outwards beyond across-sectional range of the intake air channel of the inner duct.